Working with air-dry clay is fun and offers countless creative opportunities! Since it has advanced so much in recent years, this malleable material can now be used by artists in previously impossible ways.
Can You Mix Acrylic Paint With Air Dry Clay?
Color mixing with air dry clay can be a lot of fun and produce stunning results. You can get various outcomes by mixing the clay in different ways.
Just keep in mind that it is best to avoid diluting acrylic paint with water in order to prevent softening the air-dry clay. Additionally, adding water to acrylic paint may cause cracks in the air-dry clay. It’s crucial to use only pure acrylic paint for this reason.
What Paint To Use On Air Dry Clay?
A mixture of pigments, a binding agent, and a solvent makes up paint. There are numerous kinds of paint, including:
- Water-based acrylic paint dries quickly.
- Oil paints take a while to dry and frequently need varnish to protect them for usage indoors or out.
- Oil-soluble or water-soluble pigments can be used to create watercolor paints.
Why Should I Paint With Air Dry Clay?
Clay that has been allowed to air-dry is a versatile material that may be used for a number of projects. It is a resilient and recyclable kind of paint. It is appropriate for a wide range of items, including cups, bowls, figurines, flowers, trees, etc.
You must make an impression on the surface of the object with your hands or another tool before using air-dry clay. After that, you need to wait for it to dry entirely in the open air, which might take anywhere between 2 and 8 hours, depending on how humid the weather is outside.
Also, since clay lacks an undercoat that you can paint, it is simple to shape into various shapes. All you need to do to decorate air-dry clay is dip your slab in the necessary hues or patterns.
To give the surface a nice finish after drying, brush over it with a stiff brush. Since air-dry models biodegrade, there is no need to discard them.
Air-dry clay would be ideal for various projects, such as jewelry, accessories, sculptures, costumes, and dances.
How Should Air-dry Clay Be Sealed?
Permanent paints like acrylic and other irreversible paints and permanent clear surfaces like polyurethane and permanent white glue are the most popular sealants for air-dried clays.
Acrylic medium, sealant/finish, and other materials that “sell” clay lose their dependability. Epoxy glue or transparent epoxy is another type of transparent surface.
Clay that has been air-dried and prepared with flour or other food products must also be sealed. If not, small animals might start biting them.
Methods for Sealing Air Dry Clay
So now that you are aware of the significance of waterproofing air-dry clay objects let’s look at some methods. You can take other approaches, but we’ll concentrate on three of the more common ones.
Making use of craft glue
Using craft glue is one method of sealing air-dry clay. Using this straightforward technique, you must coat your pieces lightly in the adhesive. Additionally, it’s non-toxic, and once it dries, it will be sealed, adding a layer of water resistance to your creations.
Applying it is best done with a soft-bristled brush. Ensure that you get into every crevice, but take care not to use too much glue, as it will drip over the sides. You should use it in at least two layers for better protection and total covering. Wait until it has fully dried before handling or showcasing your pieces.
By using varnish
Varnish is another choice that you have. A sort of sealer called varnish can be used to coat the surface of your pieces to guard them against moisture and other factors. There are numerous brands on the market, and they are available in liquid and spray form.
Instead of varnish, you may try using an acrylic sealer. Surface sealing and protection are the main purposes of acrylic sealer, a form of paint. It may be applied with a brush or a spray gun, and it is available in matte and glossy finishes.
Making use of acrylic paint
Acrylic paint can also be used to seal air-dried clay. Most art supply stores carry this kind of paint, which is available in a number of colors. Its primary benefit is that it is reasonably priced, which makes it a popular option for many craftsmen.
First, to waterproof your items using acrylic paint, ensure they are 100 percent dry. Then, using a brush or sponge, coat the surface of your creations with one or more coats of paint. After the paint has dried, it will be waterproof and sealed.
You can use any other water-based paint in its place if you don’t have any acrylic paint. Test it first on a little piece of clay before using it on your larger works.
How to Use Acrylic Paint to Waterproof Air Dry Clay?
Acrylic paint is water-resistant. To make your sculpture or ornament waterproof, start painting acrylic over it once it has totally dried out. This will be useful, especially if your artwork is intended for outdoor exhibitions.
You must use a good brush to apply the acrylic paint. Make sure the color is applied evenly. Using a paintbrush that is beginning to lose part of its bristles will harm the paint, so avoid doing so.
You should also carefully seal the acrylic paint after it has dried. If not, the paint will deteriorate and be simple to scrape off. Use an acrylic spray sealant to totally waterproof it.
Final Words
Mix the acrylic paint with the air-dry clay. You can also apply a sealer to protect the color and provide a glossy finish.
Just keep in mind that it is best to avoid diluting acrylic paint with water in order to prevent softening the air-dried clay. Additionally, adding water to acrylic paint may cause cracks in the air-dry clay. It’s crucial to use only pure acrylic paint for this reason.
Beatrix Ainsley (Bea to her friends) is an abstract artist who was heavily inspired in her twenties by the abstract expressionist movement of the 1940s. Since then Bea has acquired three degrees in Science, Education and most importantly Fine Art. Her art works showcase exploring emotion and introspection of self. To achieve this – the use of bold, sweeping, intricate layers of color, and spontaneity of form is enhanced by reflecting on decades of life experiences. Bea has amassed a vast knowledge of art in all its forms, and hopes to pass it on with her contributions here.